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Karen Bennett to run for Metro Council at-large

Metro Councilwoman Karen Bennett plans to run for Metro Council at-large.

Bennett, a two-term councilwoman whose District 8 seat includes parts of East Nashville and Madison, confirmed to the Tennessean her intentions to seek one of the five open countywide at-large seats.

Bennett, a member of the Tennessee Republican Party's executive committee, is one of several district council members term-limited from running again for their current seats.

Bennett is among the council's handful of conservatives. She's also known as an advocate for animals, having piloted several pieces of legislation aimed at the well-being of pets. Her latest, a proposal to ban the chaining of dogs, has already gained widespread attention in Nashville. It heads to a first of three votes at the council on Tuesday.

"I just felt like I was term-limited, and I had more to offer of myself to serve in Nashville," Bennett said. "I feel like there are more things we can do countywide and I wanted to be involved in Nashville's future."

Bennett appointed a treasurer for her run on Friday. The qualifying deadline is not until May for the August election.

She joins a growing list of candidates who have confirmed they will run for council at-large. They include" Councilman Walter Hunt, Councilman Lonnell Matthews Jr., Councilwoman Sandra Moore, Jon Lasiter, former Councilman Jim Shulman, former Metro councilman and U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper aide Don Majors, and Ken Jakes.